SNOW HILL — Greene County commissioners were asked to look at the county’s options for pulling out of its financial hole.

The board met on Wednesday in a retreat with the director of the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments for the first time ever.

Member governments have the option of meeting with the ECC on an annual basis to discuss a vision for the future and options for overcoming problems.

Director Judy Hill said she believes the commissioners showed concern for the public wants and employees’ needs.

“I thought that they, as a group, that they are very committed to do the right thing for the county,” she said.

In addition to the board, county commissioner candidates Susan Blizzard, James “Jimmy” Davenport and Robert “Bobby” Glossip were present.

Commissioner James Shackleford said the board has a lot to consider and discuss.

“It’s not going to be easy,” he said. “As a board, we’ve got to make some decisions and move on.”

Commissioner Bennie Heath said, “I think it was an opportunity to hear the views of someone who has heard the issues of other local governments.”

Hill recommended the board members start out their meetings on a positive or light-hearted note. She had each member write a list of the difficulties they’ve experienced as acommissioner. Without reading them, Hill collected the lists in a miniature “coffin” to “bury” them forever.

From there, they moved into discussing what progress they have made and their vision of Greene County’s future.

Heath started the discussion mentioning the county’s infrastructure — mainly the water system — and recreation — particularly the Recreation Complex.

“We’ve probably offered more recreational opportunities to our young people in the county,” Heath said.

He listed a number of medical and dental facilities located throughout the county.

Then came the challenges.

Commissioner Jerry Jones said economic development is needed.

Commissioner Jack Edmondson said the revenue from the quarter-cent tax is much less than was anticipated.

“We’re the hub of these surrounding counties,” he said. “It’s so close. If we did have some nice retail here, I don’t know if (folks) would support it.”

He said that educating the public was needed.

Hill said the county has a report on what businesses are available and what is needed, and suggested the board look at its economic developer targeting businesses the county needs.

“I think you can have an impact over time,” she said.

Shackleford said several large chain stores came in and pushed the smaller retailers out of business. But Hill said that is a reality every county faces.

Hill said the farmers market’s push to buy local is an asset for drawing people into the county. She suggested tourism draws, such as a sweet potato tasting room, bus tours, a motel and more bed and breakfast inns.

The subject changed to attracting and retaining highly-skilled employees, reducing employee costs and rewarding those employees who have stayed with the county.

Hill suggested allowing more vacation days earlier in the year and switching to personal days, rather than sick days.

She asked if the commissioners have personally thanked or said something positive to the employees, especially those who are not in the limelight.

Hill focused on the 2014-15 budget.

“I would rather not see a tax increase,” Edmondson said, “especially when we’re above the surrounding counties.” Not all were in agreement.

Hill said, “I know that’s a tough one everyone faces this year.”

They began discussing possible ways to outsource. Several jobs and services are currently outsourced — janitorial and technology services, Cooperative Extension agents and restaurant and well/septic tank inspections are some.

The board will be discussing consolidation of its social services and health departments on Monday and has done so with tax and water collections.

Hill suggested they look at their 911 dispatch center for sharing personnel with another county and consider moving some services to the nonprofit sector.

She also asked the board to think about promoting the services in which they do a good job to the towns and to look at the positive aspects of zoning.

“The plus side of zoning is that there are protections,” she said.

Discussions ensued about management, using employee performance reviews for feedback and dealing unpaid real property taxes. They also discussed switching to paying a stipend for out-of-office phone use instead of county-paid phones and encouraging annual physicals and health screenings.

They discussed goals, with Garner saying the fund balance needs to be at the 25 percent the Local Government Commission recommends.

“We haven’t been at that level for years,” Heath said, suggesting the county make a goal of increasing the undesignated fund by $250,000 each year, as it did this year.

“It’s going to be a tremendous balancing act,” he said.

County Manager Richard Hicks said the county saved $140,000 by taking six furlough days this year.

Hill said the board needs to have a plan to earn extra points on grant applications and begin putting money aside for matches. She also recommended they consider enlisting 4-H and horticulture and other groups to help beautify the county facilities.

Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.